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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-02-03-81-Regular Meeting6r MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY SPECIAL CALLED MEETING FEBRUARY 3, 1981 The City Council of the City of Downey held a special called meeting at 5:00 p.m., February 3, 1981, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, Mayor Theodore H. Jackman presiding. PRESENT: Council Members: -- Lyell W. Swearingen Milton R. Mackaig Mayor Pro Tem James T. Quinn Robert G. Cormack Theodore H. Jackman Mayor ALSO PRESENT: Charles W. Thompson, City Manager John H. Saunders, Personnel Officer Robert L. Shand, City Clerk -Treasurer Special Called Meeting regarding Personnel Matter Mr. Thompson submitted his official letter of resignation to the City Council, effective at the end of the work week of March 9, 1981, and expressed his special thanks and gratitude to the staff and City employees for their loyalty and good work. He offered thanks to the Mayor for his outstanding leadership to the commu- nity and to the citizens of Downey who have offered advice, suggestions, and encouragement. Mr. Thompson noted the Council will be facing many fundamental ques- tions for the future of the community, particularly with regard to the Reinvestment in Downey Program. He asked that the Council not hesitate to call on him if he can be of any assistance in the future. Mayor Jackman accepted Mr. Thompson's resignation and suggested there are two directions the Council may go in repacing the City Manager position: One is to hire a professional consulting firm specializing in conducting executive searches; and the other is to invite present City Managers to submit applications for the position to be screened by the Personnel Advisory Board and brought to the Council. One of the things to be considered is that a consulting firm will take more time. The Council has the option of going Nationwide or Statewide in its search. Mayor Jackman feels the firm or individual hired should be experienced in independent cities which have their own Police and Fire Departments. It was estimated that to go with a consulting firm would take approximately 90 days 'before selecting a new City Manager. Mayor Jackman feels the Council should name someone from staff to officially take over the job of City Manager on a temporary basis until the position is filled. He favored turning this over to a consulting firm. He said to conduct a Nationwide search would cost around $8,000 to $10,000--it would be less for Statewide. Councilman Mackaig suggested the Council start with a Statewide search. Mr. Thompson pointed out that he came to the City of Downey from Michigan. He said Downey is a multimillion dollar operation, which is not a small burden to carry, and decision making will be expected from the City Manager in carrying out the operation of the City. Councilman Mackaig would not like to see the scope of investigation restricted to City Managers, inasmuch as there are Assistant City Managers, Police Chiefs, etc., in larger cities who have the capabilities. Mayor Jackman said the City Manager/City Council type of government is a special style of government adopted in Downey and many cities throughout the Country and has a special operation. Every application submitted for the position should be considered. Councilman Quinn agreed the position should be open to everyone. Councilman Swearingen said he is not ready to make a decision and feels the Council should have more time to think about it. Mr. Thompson explained the consulting firm will request a profile of what the Council will want in the way of a City Manager. The consulting firm will also want to know what problems are currently facing the City Council and other areas the new Council Minutes 2/3/81 (Spec.) -1- � 7�� City Manager will have to be familiar with in order to handle problems facing the City. The firm will then attempt to find a number of people who can closely match the City's profile and submit those names to the Council. The Council would then conduct interviews. The consulting firm will also do a background check on the applicants. Councilman Mackaig would like to have the opportunity to do some checking on his own to see how other cities have selected their City Managers. He suggested the decision on this could be made at the next regular Council Meeting. Discussion followed. Councilman Cormack said he has r6quested his appointee to the Planning Commis- sion to keep the Redevelopment Projects moving along, and he asked the other Council Members to make the same suggestions to their appointees. Councilman Swearingen complimented Mr. Thompson on doing a good job for the City for the past ten years. The other Council Members concurred. At 5:30 p.m., Mayor Jackman recessed the meeting to executive session to dis- cuss a personnel matter. The meeting resumed at 6:10 p.m. with all Council Members present. Mayor Jackman announced the Council will meet and interview two consulting firms this week and then make a decision on this matter at the regular meeting on Tuesday, February 10, 1981. At 6:11 p.m., it was moved by Councilman Swearingen, seconded by Councilman Mackaig, and so ordered to adjourn the meeting. ert L. hand, ity Clerk -Treasurer Th adore H. Jac Mayor Council Minutes 2/3/81 (Spec.) -2-